Independence for Kosovo...

[Little Raven]

Looms.

Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's prime minister-designate, said independence from Serbia is "weeks'' away and that he believes the declaration will be backed by the U.S. and the European Union.

"Kosovo is ready today, tomorrow is too late,'' the former guerrilla leader said in an interview late yesterday in Pristina, the capital of the United Nations-administered Serbian province.

While weeks may prove to be an optimistic estimate, it does seem very likely that Kosovo will declare independence sometime in the very near future. With a demographic makeup of over 90% ethnic Albanians and a history that includes years of mistreatment under Milosovek, the citizens of Kosovo no longer desire to be governed from Belgrade. Serbia, for it's part, feels that Kosovo is the birthplace of their civilization and has vowed to stop any attempt at independence. Distrust remains high on both sides.

The US has made it clear that we support the emergence of this new nation, as has Britain, France, and virtually every nation in the EU. Russia remains the primary voice of opposition, and have they have promised to use their veto in the Security Council accordingly. Fortunately, while both sides have made a great deal of noise, there has been very little violence or threats of violence. (Of course, the fact that Kosovo is practically crawling with UN Peacekeepers may have something to do with that.) At any rate, relatively few analysts predict widespread conflict as a result.

What do you think should be done?

 

[warpus]

Independence for Kosovo is a bad idea. It should remain a part of Serbia.

 

[Godwynn]

 

[philippe]

give what the majority wants. Who has the right to block what the majority wants? Do a referendum in Kosovo on the subject of independence.

It's the democratic thing to do.

 

[Newbunkle]

Good for Kosovo. Let the people decide.

 

[zxcvbnm]

Independence for Kosovo is a bad idea. It should remain a part of Serbia.

Why? If people don't want to be a part of something then let them be free.

 

[warpus]

give what the majority wants. Who has the right to block what the majority wants? Do a referendum in Kosovo on the subject of independence.

It's the democratic thing to do.

Would you support this same sort of referendum for other parts of the world?

Should my house be able to break away from Canada if I hold a referendum and vote that I want to secede?

 

[.Shane.]

Europe just needs to keep dividing up into smaller and smaller countries. Pretty soon it'll look like the 1400s w/ dozens of tiny countries. I guess the difference is they'll have the EU as some kind of "federal" state?

 

[philippe]

Would you support this same sort of referendum for other parts of the world?

Should my house be able to break away from Canada if I hold a referendum and vote that I want to secede?

Oh come on now, you know that's a ridiculious example.

But i'm all in for smaller regional states, if it's what the people want, why not?

 

[zxcvbnm]

Would you support this same sort of referendum for other parts of the world?

Should my house be able to break away from Canada if I hold a referendum and vote that I want to secede?

Yes.

Europe just needs to keep dividing up into smaller and smaller countries. Pretty soon it'll look like the 1400s w/ dozens of tiny countries. I guess the difference is they'll have the EU as some kind of "federal" state?

That's good. If all countries have just 1000 population there won't be wars in a democratic system as people would have too personal losses.

 

[warpus]

Oh come on now, you know that's a ridiculious example.

But i'm all in for smaller regional states, if it's what the people want, why not?

Because it sets a dangerous precedent. Kosovo has historically been an important part of Serbia.

 

[philippe]

So is french Flanders, German poland and so on.. territories change, ethnicies too. Serbia will have to learn to accept.

 

[Italian Celtic]

Kosovo is serbian !!!!!

 

[philippe]

Kosovo is serbian !!!!!

and sicily is a part of Norway and Germany is the real owner of italy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Italian Celtic]

and sicily is a part of Norway and Germany is the real owner of italy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Italy controll all territories of old roman empire, i can agree

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I am beyond caring.
Let Kosovo be officially independent, it makes no difference. It is already basically a NATO protectorate.

 

[philippe]

If Italy controll all territories of old roman empire, i can agree

Let Italy first govern Italy well (and this comes from the mouth of a belgian )

 

[Gelion]

Sure, Kosovo is albanian!
Also give me a few guns and some time and I will make any part of the world Russian. Serbs have been pushed out of the region, thats why they make up 10% of the population. Giving Kosovo independance is the same thing as stating that all the Baltic countries should belong to Russia due to their ethnic makeup. IIRC its what EU opposes. Why is Kosovo different?

 

[philippe]

Sure, Kosovo is albanian!
Also give me a few guns and some time and I will make any part of the world Russian. Serbs have been pushed out of the region, thats why they make up 10% of the population. Giving Kosovo independance is the same thing as stating that all the Baltic countries should belong to Russia due to their ethnic makeup. IIRC its what EU opposes. Why is Kosovo different?

Last time I checked the russian people are still minorities in the baltic countries.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Sure, Kosovo is albanian!
Also give me a few guns and some time and I will make any part of the world Russian. Serbs have been pushed out of the region, thats why they make up 10% of the population. Giving Kosovo independance is the same thing as stating that all the Baltic countries should belong to Russia due to their ethnic makeup. IIRC its what EU opposes. Why is Kosovo different?

Because even after the war Yugoslavia was still oficially a socialist country and this couldn't be tolerated.
It hat to be attacked, and you need a reason to attack another country.
Whtat this reason is doesn't really matter.